“What was it?”
“Like a black cloud or something, but low to the ground right in front of me. It seemed to block my passage. As if someone had started a fire just inside the tree line and was burning something horrific.”
Melinda waited for her to finish. “You may have more powers than you thought.”
“How so?”
“The black smoky substance that coalesces into a form is part of our culture. It’s believed to be a Native American spirit guide of sorts. And it’s been spotted with increasing frequency in the area. Or perhaps there’s more than one. We can’t be sure.
“For many years the aura was only seen on rare occasions high in the mountains, and only by members of our tribe. Many have come to Mimi after such sightings. But last year the spirits seem to have gotten agitated. It was such a spirit that led me to counsel Miles and Griffen’s mate, Rebecca, not to compete in her upcoming Spartan race in Cambridge. That was the day of the earthquake a year and a half ago. It’s possible Rebecca’s life was saved by not competing.
“In addition, the same strange spirits made their presence known this past summer when my mate Keegan was overseeing the inspection of the casino site near Sojourn. Again I felt pressured to warn my mates of upcoming doom regarding that site.
“It’s impossible to say what the spirits are trying to communicate with us, but make no mistake, they are doing so. Did you say you were high on the mountain when you saw the aura?”
“Yes. Not at the top, mind you, but halfway.”
“They’re coming down. I saw one at a similar elevation last summer. And I’ve also seen them lower, including inside the house.”
“Jeez. What do you think it all means?”
“No idea. But I think the land is disturbed. I’m worried about the future implications of that earthquake. Why did the spirits fight so hard to keep that casino from being built? They won. The design was trashed. It’s been six months. Apparently they’re back.”
Laurie shivered, drawing her paws in close and setting her head on her front paws. “Why would one of them make themselves known to me?”
“We may never know. But we need to be cognizant of our surroundings. Mimi has never stopped sensing unrest. Neither have I. The entire area seems to be in a perpetual state of agitation. Perhaps it’s weather related. A warning? I just don’t know.”
“I have skills with weather.” Laurie closed her eyes and pictured herself tilting her face to the sky earlier when she suddenly knew it was about to storm. Hard.
“You mean you can sense a change in weather?”
“Yes. Frequently. Can you?”
“Sometimes. But maybe not to your degree. You knew this storm was coming?”
“I did. But fat lot of good that did since I got like two seconds’ warning. It’s not as though I could have told people not to ascend the mountain on the lift. How is that helpful?”
“Never know. But I’m thinking your powers are swirling just beneath the surface, waiting for a chance to be unleashed now that you’re here. I bet your mating will double the process. Perhaps Fate lined you up intentionally to mate with two men in this area. Keep you from leaving.”
“Why would I be destined to mate with a white man from Cambridge?”
“Perhaps your other mate is Native American…”
Laurie pondered that idea. The perfect storm, so to speak. She herself was half white—on her father’s side—and half Native American—her mother’s side.
“Stay alert. We’ll talk more tomorrow when you get back down the mountain.”
The bathroom door opened, and a very naked Zach walked out.
Laurie rolled onto her side and stared up at him, unable to keep her tongue from wagging. She started to pant. Even in her lupine form, she could appreciate the man’s physique. He was amazing. So fucking sexy. His cock stood at attention, and he did nothing to conceal it.
With a sly grin, Zach dropped onto all fours and shifted. As soon as he was done, he crept toward her and nuzzled her neck. “Lord, you’re amazing. Even in wolf form, you take my breath away.”
She couldn’t respond. Her mind was stuck on the vision of him standing above her completely naked. Tease.
Melinda interrupted her thoughts. “Having Trace shift now. Think about what I’ve communicated.”
“I will.”
“’K. Later.”
Zach lowered himself beside her and set a paw on her jaw. He stared into her eyes while he spoke to his brother, communicating much the same things she had.
All that mattered was for someone to call his mother, Carlie, or his father, and let them know the two of them were safe. She didn’t even know his father’s name yet.